West Coast Fire Report – With Michael Steinberg – 8/25/2025

This broadcast, on August 25, 2025, discussed various wildfires across the West Coast. Michael Steinberg, a geography student, shared his field observations from the Pickett Fire in Napa County, highlighting some extreme fire behavior he observed firsthand on 8/23/2025, and the impact of 2020 fire severity on current fuel loading. The Garnet Fire in Fresno, burning in a recent burn scar, showed significant plume activity. The Dillon Fire in the Klamath Mountains, ignited by lightning, was rapidly spreading. The Flat Fire in Oregon, despite 0% official containment, was likely extinguished. The Emigrant Fire in the Central Cascades, burning in a 2009 burn scar, was also discussed.

The conversation emphasized the importance of fire history, landscape conditions, and community preparedness in managing wildfires. Zeke Lunder emphasizes the importance of fire preparedness, advising to clear brush before a fire approaches, not during. He promotes a new YouTube series, “Danger in Plain Sight,” which features fire experts and Steinberg’s urban fire footage, aiming to educate on fire behavior and forest management. Lunder also mentions upcoming giveaways, including tools and backpacks, for subscribing to their channel. He hints at continued collaboration with Steinberg and invites questions. Additionally, he jokes about the need for “Squatch Duty” in fire prevention, referencing Bigfoot’s obligation to take an active role in forest maintenance.

Pickett Fire Overview and Field Report

• Zeke Lunder introduces the broadcast, mentioning the date and the focus on fires across the West Coast.
• Zeke Lunder introduces Michael Steinberg, a geography student and pyrogeographer, who recently visited the Pickett Fire in Sonoma County.
• Steinberg narrates his field experience, describing the fire’s behavior and the challenges faced by firefighters.
• Zeke Lunder and Steinberg discuss the fire’s containment status and the impact of fuel loading on fire behavior.
• Steinberg shares video footage of the fire, highlighting extreme fire behavior and the importance of monitoring plume rotation.

Fire Behavior and Fuel Loading

• Steinberg explains the impact of fire history on fuel loading, using 2020 burn scars as an example.
• The discussion covers the fire’s movement up Swartz Canyon and the significant fire behavior observed on Saturday.
• Steinberg describes the fire’s interaction with terrain features, such as Swartz Creek drainage, and the role of wind in fire behavior.
• The conversation touches on the importance of understanding fire behavior to improve firefighting strategies.
• Steinberg emphasizes the need for accurate mapping and understanding of fire severity to inform land management decisions.

Weather and Lightning Impact on Fires

• Steinberg discusses the impact of thunderstorms and monsoon season on fire behavior.
• The conversation covers the role of orographic lift in creating thunderstorms and the resulting moisture in the Sierra Nevada.
• Zeke Lunder and Steinberg analyze the current weather patterns and their influence on fire behavior.
• The discussion includes the importance of lightning in starting new fires and the challenges of managing these fires in areas with recent burn scars.

Dillon Fire and Lightning Fire Management

• Zeke Lunder and Steinberg discuss the Dillon Fire in the Klamath Mountains, highlighting its rapid growth and the challenges of fires during large lightning busts.
• The conversation covers the fire’s interaction with previous burn scars and the potential for the fire to continue spreading.
• Zeke Lunder emphasizes the importance of prioritizing fire management efforts based on potential fire severity and landscape conditions.
• The discussion includes the challenges of managing fires in remote areas with limited resources.
• Steinberg shares his experience with the McKinney Fire and the lessons learned from past fires in the Klamath region.

Flat Fire and Fire Management in Oregon

• Zeke Lunder and Steinberg discuss the Flat Fire in Oregon, highlighting its rapid spread and the challenges of managing fires in the high desert.
• The conversation covers the differences in fire management resources between California and Oregon.
• Zeke Lunder emphasizes the importance of community preparedness and fire mitigation efforts in reducing fire risk.
• The discussion includes the challenges of managing fires in areas with limited firefighting resources.
• Steinberg shares his experience with the Labor Day fires in Oregon and the lessons learned from observing large fires in the state.

Emigrant Fire and Fire Management in the Cascades

• Zeke Lunder and Steinberg discuss the Emigrant Fire in the Central Cascades, highlighting the challenges of managing fires in areas with recent burn scars.
• The conversation covers the fire’s interaction with fuel loading and the role of previous fires in shaping current fire behavior.
• Zeke Lunder emphasizes the importance of understanding fire severity and landscape conditions in informing fire management decisions.
• The discussion includes the challenges of managing fires in areas with limited firefighting resources.
• Steinberg shares his experience with mitigation work at Maple Creek Ranch in Cohasset, California, and how this work reduced the impacts of the Park Fire.

Fire Management Strategies and Community Preparedness

• Zeke Lunder and Steinberg discuss the importance of community preparedness and fire management strategies in reducing fire risk.
• The conversation covers the role of prescribed burning and fuel reduction efforts in mitigating fire severity.
• Zeke Lunder emphasizes the need for accurate mapping and understanding of fire severity to inform fire management decisions.
• The discussion includes the challenges of telling the public they are at risk of wildfires – something most people don’t want to hear.
• The political shitstorm ignited by the release of public wildfire risk maps in Oregon is noted.
• Zeke says killing the messenger won’t make Oregonians safer from wildfires, and acknowledges the difficulty of creating accurate hazard maps at the parcel scale.

Offshore Winds and Fire Management Challenges

• Zeke Lunder and Steinberg discuss the impact of offshore winds on fire behavior and the challenges of managing fires during this time of year.
• The conversation covers the historical context of offshore wind events and their impact on fire behavior.

Fire Management and Public Perception

• Zeke Lunder and Steinberg discuss the public perception of fire management and the challenges of communicating fire risk.
• The conversation covers the importance of accurate information and community education in reducing fire risk.
• Zeke Lunder emphasizes the need for transparency and honesty in fire management communication.

Fire Preparedness and Upcoming Series

• Zeke Lunder emphasizes the importance of being prepared for fires, advising to clear brush and get ready before a fire approaches.
• He mentions the “Danger in Plain Sight” – The Lookout’s new series on YouTube, a five-part series featuring fire experts and Steinberg’s inside fire footage.
• The series aims to educate people about how homes burn down and the importance of forest management in Southern California.
• Zeke highlights the need for 100% deep fuel reduction in forest management.

Giveaways and Collaborations

• Zeke announces upcoming giveaways, including tools like pruning saws and hand pruners, provided by a supporter in Westwood.
• He encourages viewers to subscribe to the Lookout to enter the raffle and mentions giveaways of other swag.
• Zeke discusses ongoing collaborations with Steinberg, who continues to capture inside fire footage.
• He invites viewers to send questions.